Ball return game



May 19, 1964 P. A. LATHAM BALL RETURN GAME 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept.21, 1960 FIGI INVENTOR.

PETERALATHAM ATTORNEYS May 19, 1964 Filed Sept. 21, 1960 P. A. LATHAMBALL RETURN GAME 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 SERVING LINE FIG. 2

INVENTOR.

ATTORNEYS United States Patent Ofi fice 3,133,734 Patented May 19, 19643,133,734 BALL RETURN GAME Peter A. Latham, Hawthorne Lane, Concord,Mass. Filed Sept. 21, 196i Ser. No. 57,530 6 Claims. (Ql. 27395) Thepresent invention relates in general to exercise and amusement and moreparticularly concerns a novel game for providing indoor exercise andamusement in confined areas with an inexpensive structure which is easyto assemble. Yet, this structure negligibly interferes with using theroom of its location for other purposes.

Games such as squash and handball have been popular for many yearsbecause players enjoy the game while receiving the health benefits ofexercise. However, these games require relatively largespecially-enclosed areas so that facilities are not available tomostindividuals except in special locations, such as athletic clubs.

Accordingly, it is an important object of the present invention toprovide a game which offers both amusement and exercise in most homeswith but little additional equipment while limiting the effective playarea.

It is another object of the invention to achieve the preceding objectwith structure relatively easy to assemble quickly, yet the structurenegligibly interferes with the use of the play area for other purposes.

It is another object of the invention to provide a method of amusementand exercising in accordance with the preceding objects.

According to the invention, the game structure is adapted to be situatedin the corner of a room and comprises first and second substantiallyrigid panels forming a corner of less than 90. The bottom edges of thepanels are preferably arranged so that when these edges rest upon afloor or other horizontal surface, the corner formed by the panels tiltsdownward toward the region bounded by the two bottom edges. Means areprovided for visibly defining a curve extending from a point on thestraight line of contact between the panels on opposite sides of thisline to extreme generally vertical edges of the respective panels todefine a predetermined play area.

When the game corner is located in the corner of a room, a resilientball which a player impells upon either of the panels from the roombounces one or more times from the structure so that it usually returnsto a point in the room outside the game corner. This point of return isaccessible to a competing player so that he may reach the ball and takea full swing to drive it back toward the game corner. Suitable markingmeans define a playing area on the floor of the room where the structureis located.

Other features, objects and advantages of the invention will becomeapparent from the following specification when read in connection withthe accompanying drawing in which:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective View of a preferred embodiment of theinvention with intersecting panels located in the corner of a room;

FIG. 2 shows the novel planar means laid out on a rectangular board toillustrate a way of making each planar means from a rectangular board ofminimum area; and,

FIGS. 3 and 4 show a preferred embodiment of a paddle for playing thegame.

With reference now to the drawing and more particularly FIG. 1 thereofthere is shown a preferred embodiment of the invention showingdimensions suitable for most basement recreation rooms. Two panels itand 11 form the game corner and are hinged together along a generallyvertical line 13 which is tilted into the room from the room cornervertical line 14, preferably by an angle of 16 as illustrated. Thebottom corner 15 of panels 19 and 11 preferably fits flush in the lowercorner of the room. Lines 17 and 18 extend downward and away from point21 at right angles to line 13 symmetrically on opposite sides thereof torespective extreme edges 23 and 24- of panels in and 11, respectively,to define a serving area above lines 17 and 18.

Upper edges 25 and 26 each form a right angle with the line of contact13. Bottom edges 2'7 and 28 of panels 10 and 11 each form an angle ofsubstantially 74 with vertical line 13 and an angle of substantially 77with extreme edges 23 and 24, respectively.

Spacers 31 and 32 each subtend an angle of substantially 12. Spacers 31and 32 are inserted between walls 34 and 36, respectively, and boards Nand 11 respectively. These spacers function to maintain the anglebetween panels it) and 11 at substantially 66. The playing area may bemarked on the floor of the room with pressuresensitive adhesive-backedplastic tape of a color which contrasts with that of the floor. The sideboundary lines 37 and 38 are extensions of the bottom edges 27 and 28,respectively. Two lines 41 and 42 extend from a point 43 along the linebisecting the angle between panels 10 and 11 to the junction of edge 27with line 37 and the junction of edge 28 with line 33, respectively, thelines 41 and 42 being chords of a circle centered at corner 15. A centerline 4-4 extends between point 43 and another point 45' on the linebisecting the angle between panels it) and 1.1. Base lines 46 and 47extend between point 45 and points of intersection 51 and 52,respectively, with sidelines 37 and 38, respectively. Lines 46 and 47form chords of a circle centered at corner point 15. The marking linesdefine right and left back courts 54 and 55, respectively. Lines 61 and62 define the back of the serving areas in sides 55 and 5d,respectively, of the court.

leferring to FIG. 2, there is shown a standard 4 x 6 board with panelslit) and 11 laid out thereon. In PK 2, the same reference numerals usedin FIG. 1 identify corresponding portions in FIG. 2. Note that the sidepanels are prepared merely by making two straight line cuts, one alongthe bottom edge and the other along the extreme edge of each panel. Thetwo side panels may be prepared simultaneously by laying one board ontop of the other before cutting. In fact, the number of boards which maybe prepared simultaneously is limited primarily by the maximum thicknesswhich can be cut by a saw or other cutting means. Production techniquesare simplified and costs reduced since both left and right panels areidentical.

Referring to PTGS. 3 and 4, there is shown top and side viewsrespectively of a preferred embodiment of paddle 57, shown in FIG. 1beside a hard rubber ball 56. Paddle 57 preferably comprises a sheet ofaluminum 63 sandwiched between generally T-shaped plywood reinforcingstrips 64 forming an assembly held together by rivets 66, or othersuitable means. The cap of the T reinforces the portion of the paddleface adjacent to the handle where the maximum bending moments areexpected to be developed. The stem of the T covers the handle portion ofthe sheet while the cap of the T covers the area of the face portion ofthe sheet immediately adjacent to the handle portion.

Aluminum, plywood or plastic may be used for the sheet 63. Othermaterials capable of withstanding the tensile stresses developed duringplay may be used instead. The game may be played with other paddles,such as a squash or tennis racket having a stringed face, but suchrackets are not preferred because the resiliency of the strings causesthe ball to be propelled from the racket with excessive velocity formost play in homes indoors.

Having described the structure of a preferred embodiment of theinvention, it is appropriate to consider how the structure embodies theprinciples of the invention.

In conventional squash and handball, each player generally strives toforce his opponent to hit the ball after a single bounce from the frontwall and a single bounce on the floor because the opponent has less timeto position himself and control his return shot. The resulting game istoo fast for playing in the home. In accordance with the principles ofthe present invention, panels and 11 are so arranged that the ballnearly always bounces off panels 1% and 11 with reduced velocity beforebeing returned to the floor. In addition, panels 10 and 11 function todirect the ball toward an area sufliciently far from the room walls sothat a player may take a full return stroke without danger of striking awall with his paddle. to this end, the angle between panels 1 and i1shouid be less than a right angle and preferably within the range of 46to 84. It has been discovered that the optimum angle is 66 as shown inthe drawing. This angle is maintained by spacers 31 and 32. It has beenfound sufficient to locate point in the corner of the room and placeside panels 10 and 11 against spacers 31 and 32, fastening the spacersto the side panels. Evidently this is sufiicient because the forcesexerted by the ball on the side panels urge them toward the corner andagainst the spacers. The spacers also function to center the angleformed by the side panels in the room corner right angle. Any means forpositioning the spacers may be used so long as they remain substantiallystationary during play. It is evident that numerous other means may beemployed to position the side panels appropriately.

While many advantages of the invention will be obtained if line 13between the panels is vertical, it is preferably tipped in toward theroom away from the vertical. This tilting functions to position thepanels to apply a downward component of force to the ball upon impact soas to cause the ball to bounce higher and direct the ball into theplaying area, thereby making it more difficult to drive the ball beyondthe base lines 46 and 47. This prolongs the volley to increase theentertainment value of the game and provide exercise of sustainedintensity.

The structure described above may be used to play a game similar toEnglish squash with game being fifteen points. A player may score onlywhen serving and the game must be won by two consecutive points. Ofcourse, other scoring techniques, such as those used in tennis or tabletennis may be employed.

The ball remains in play as long as any of the following conditions aremet. As long as the ball hits above either of the foul lines 17 or 18 atleast once, it may hit either or both side panels 10 or 11 any number oftimes before it again hits the floor. If it hits the floor a second timewithout hitting one of the side panels, it is no longer in play. If theserver allows the ball to get out of play, he loses service. If thereceiver allows the ball to get out of play, the server scores a point.The ball may also hit one wall above the foul line, bounce onto thefloor, then up ed the other wall and remain in play until it hits thefloor a second time.

The server is entitled to two serves. He stands behind one of the baselines 46 and 47 and serves the ball above one of the foul lines 17 or 18so that it lands beyond the serving line 41 or 42 in the opposite backcourt ahead of lines 61 and 62. For example, if the server stands behindbase line 46 of back court 54, he strives to make the ball bounce incourt 55 over the serving line 42. Normally, he would try to direct theball toward panel 11 and the ball would bounce from panel 11 to panel 1%and then into court 55. After the serve has been returned, it isunnecessary for the ball to bounce on the floor before being returned.That is, the receiving layer could hit the ball while it was still inthe air after bouncing from panel 10. The server should change courtsafter each serve.

If the ball hits either player when traveling from either panel towardthe court, that player loses the point or the serve. If the ball hits aplayer when traveling from the paddle of an opponent toward eitherpanel, the point is played over. if a player is unable to make a returnshot because he feels his opponent was in the way, such player may calla let and the point is played over.

Of course, numerous variations of the proposed rules may be followed tosuit the preferences of different players. The rules just described havebeen formulated after much experience with many players and found toestablish a game providing enjoyable exercise.

The specific embodiment described herein may be varied in numerous ways.For example, the side panels 10 and 11 may fold about a horizontal axisto facilitate transportation from one playing area to the other. Themarking lines may be varied to suit different situations. Differenttypes of paddles and balls may be used or the ball may be struck byhand.

It is thus apparent that those skilled in the art may now make numerousmodifications of, uses of, and departures from the specific structureand techniques disclosed herein without departing from the inventiveconcepts. Consequently, the invention is to be construed as limited onlyby the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A game structure adapted to be situated in the corner of a roomcomprising, first and second substantially rigid planar means, means formaintaining said planar means substantially in contact along a straightline to form an angle of intersection between said planar means of lessthan ninety degrees, and means for supporting both said planar meanswith said straight line forming an angle with the vertical of much lessthan 45.

2. A game structure in accordance with claim 1 wherein said anglebetween both said planar means is within the range of 46 to 84.

3. A game structure in accordance with claim 2 Wherein said anglebetween both said planar means is substantially 66.

4. A game structure in accordance with claim 1 and further comprisingmeans extending downward and away from a point on said straight line onopposite sides of said straight line to define predetermined play areas.

5. A game in accordance with claim 4 and further comprising, meansdefining a fair play area on said fioor, the latter means comprising,marking means establishing a center line bisecting the angle formed byintersection of said planar means, second marking means defining leftand right side lines coextensive the respective lower edges of both ofsaid planar means, and third marking means defining a left pair ofspaced generally parallel lines extending between said left side lineand said center line and a right pair of generally parallel linesextending from respective ones of said left pair to points on said rightside line.

6. A game structure in accordance with claim 1 wherein the lower edge ofeach of said planar means forms an angle with said straight line ofslightly less than References Cited in the file of this patent UNITEDSTATES PATENTS 1,930,477 Hosier Oct. 17, 1933 2,161,463 Frost June 6,1939 2,594,745 Di Meo Apr. 29, 1952 2,645,488 Jurgenson July 14, 19532,671,663 Gurt et a1. Mar. 9, 1954 2,711,899 Forsyth June 28, 19552,781,194 Sistrunk Feb. 12, 1957 2,812,946 Hughes Nov. 12, 1957 FOREIGNPATENTS 533,809 France Dec. 20, 1921

1. A GAME STRUCTURE ADAPTED TO BE SITUATED IN THE CORNER OF A ROOMCOMPRISING, FIRST AND SECOND SUBSTANTIALLY RIGID PLANAR MEANS, MEANS FORMAINTAINING SAID PLANAR MEANS SUBSTANTIALLY IN CONTACT ALONG A STRAIGHTLINE TO FORM AN ANGLE OF INTERSECTION BETWEEN SAID PLANAR MEANS OF LESSTHAN NINETY DEGREES, AND MEANS FOR SUPPORTING BOTH SAID PLANAR MEANSWITH SAID STRAIGHT LINE FORMING AN ANGLE WITH THE VERTICAL OF MUCH LESSTHAN 45*